Carlos: are there any native Mexican species that are particularly popular with the Mexican people? In the U.S. bald eagles are popular because they're the national bird, sea otters are popular because they are cute, grizzly bears are popular because they are big, etc. I'm wondering what species in Mexico might be particularly popular. Monarch butterflies? Jaguars? Volcano rabbits?
Good question, David. Yes, jaguars are well liked by the zoo public in Mexico and were also used in rituals by the aztec and mayas who use them often in the pyramid motifs. so fans of prehispanic culture like jags also. They are often active as well. Lately, mexican wolves are begining to get more attention from many people.
Volcano rabbits are only well known to people in Mexico city. The golden eagle is the national bird and also recieves attention.
Otters are interesting because they are not so common in mexican zoos as they are in the U.S. I have seen them at Chapultepec and Aragon in Mexico City, at zoomat in Chiapas and now at Morelia. Water pollution, habitat destruction and illegal hunting has affected otter populations in Mexico and they are much more scarce than in the US. It is a pity because the public always loves otters when they see them. The mexican species is lontra longicaudis annectens.
